Brian Waters had a significant role in Pensacola surfing during the 70’s and 80’s. He was a big proponent of “Eggs”, though he shaped all kinds of boards. His family owned Hutson Hardware and Surf Shop. My grandparents started Hutson Hardware in the late 50’s or early 60’s and sold it to Brian’s parents a few years later. It became a surf shop when the Waters’ owned it. I worked there for a short time in the mid 70’s and learned a ton. They sold everything from sprinkler and plumbing supplies to surf and skate stuff. Brian’s mom was a painter so they sold all kinds of art supplies. They made and repaired screen windows. They sold Birdwell Beach Britches. They sold Skip Frye Surfboards. It was a very unique and well known place. Brian had the Islander Surfboard factory behind the store. A number of Pensacola surfers worked and hung out there including Mike McIntire, Tom Grow, Scott Bush, Stephen Forstall, Rick Settlemire, Mike Bredesen, Freddy Esposito, Ron Roush, and on and on and on.
Brian was also a good surfer. Dave Skelton took the photo on Pensacola Beach in the mid 70’s.